Friday, 2 May 2008

An 'emotional roller-coaster' is not the word one can use to describe the feelings on the night, but rather one of hope and belief as I reminisced of the glorious night in Istanbul. But this was not to be as Chelsea deservedly put Liverpool out and make history by reaching their first Champions League final. Chelsea were the better team on the night and deserve to be there. It was the Drogba show no doubt which I wasn't looking forward to, and after Benitez's mid-week comments about 'diving', and the video footage to prove this it was the perfect response from the Ivorian striker who will most likely move on in the summer, with AC Milan and Real Madrid his preferred destinations.

All accolades aside. I don't intend doing a post-match analysis on the actual game as this would certainly tend to be based on bias. So I'll prefer to analyse areas of each team and how they might pan out come May 21st for the pinnacle of Europe's top draw competition.

Vidic & Ferdinand vs. Drogba - they will no doubt be tight at the back but I'm backing Drogba to snatch a goal or capitalise on a rare mistake that might decide the match.

Man Utd midfield vs. Chelsea midfield - it's a tough one to call but again I'll say that Chelsea edge United in this area, simply because of Ballack & Lampard. United have Scholes, Anderson, Carrick and Hargreaves but they lack the Big Match Temperament factor.

Rooney, Ronaldo & Tevez vs. Terry & Carvahlo - i think United have the edge here if Rooney starts. Ronaldo goes to sleep when playing the bigger teams but this just might be his stage to perform and show his BMT!

It's going to be Chelsea and Liverpool fans all against Man United. I'm backing Chelsea to take the CL final with United already having wrapped up the EPL.